Abstract

Temporally resolved evolution of parameters in atmospheric plasma jet is studied by means of microwave scattering, fast photographing, and measuring of jet currents. It is observed that streamer (“plasma bullet”) propagating along with gas flow is generated immediately after the breakdown. It is demonstrated that an afterglow plasma column remains on the way of streamer passing. Lifetime of the afterglow plasma column is , which is longer than that of the streamer.

Received 12 April 2009Accepted 20 May 2009Published online 11 June 2009

Acknowledgments:

This research was supported by George Washington University Institute for Biomedical Engineering. The authors would like to thank Mary Ann Stepp, Yevgeny Raitses, and Isak Beilis for valuable discussions.